Local Obituaries

John R. Cihocki of Shelley Road, Middletown, died Saturday at home. He was 49.

He was born in Middlefield. He was the owner-operator of Central Vending and Coffee in Middletown and was a member of Elks Lodge 771.

He is survived by his mother, Jennie Piantek Cihocki of Middlefield; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, Cheryl Grippo Cihocki.

Funeral services are private and burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The Biega Funeral Home in Middletown is in charge of arrangements.

Carmel Blade, 87;

Of Middletown

Carmel D. ``Carmie'' Blade of Stoneycrest Drive, Middletown, died Monday at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. She was 87.

She was born in Middletown. She was a member of St. Sebastian Church. Before her retirement, she was employed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft.

She is survived by two sons, Robert and David Blade, both of Middletown; a sister, Rose Stanley of Wallingford; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Rupert Blade.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 9 a.m. from the D'Angelo Funeral Home, 22 S. Main St., Middletown, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church. Burial will be in the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown. Calling hours are at the funeral home Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Donations may be made to the Renovation Fund of St Sebastian Church, 155 Washington St., Middletown, CT 06457.

Anna Shea, 94;

Of East Haddam

Anna C. Shea of Creek Row, East Haddam, died Sunday at Chestelm Convalescent Home. She was 94.

She was a native and lifelong resident of East Haddam.

Before her retirement, she was employed by Joseph F. Shea Inc. of East Haddam in the manufacturing of fishnets. She was a member of St. Bridget of Kildare Church, a member of the Council of Catholic Women, a member of St. Bridget's Ladies Guild and a lifetime member of the Rathbun Library.

She is survived by a sister, Agnes Shea of East Haddam; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters, Katherine Cook, Mary Blaschik and Sophie Shea, and two brothers, Joseph F. Shea and John Shea.

Funeral services will be held Thursday with an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Bridget of Kildare Church, 75 Moodus Leesville Road, Moodus. Burial will be in the spring in St. Bridget's Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Bridget of Kildare Church. Donations may be made for the restoration of the Old St. Bridget of Kildare Church, P.O. Box 422, Moodus, CT 06469.

Elizabeth Conheady, 94;

Of Wallingford

Elizabeth G. ``Betty'' Conheady, formerly of South Main Street, Wallingford, died Friday at Skyview Center in Wallingford. She was 94.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Wallingford. She was proprietor of The Little Card Shoppe in Wallingford for many years. The Conheady family operated the Oakdale Tavern in Wallingford from 1935 to 1961, when it was sold. She was a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Nora Conheady Fritz and Mary R. Conheady, and four brothers, Thomas, James, William and John Conheady.

A Mass will be held today at 10:30 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church. Burial, in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Wallingford, will be private. There are no calling hours. Donations may be made to Most Holy Trinity Church Preservation Project, 68 N. Colony St., Wallingford, CT 06492. The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Wallingford, is in charge of arrangements.

Franklin Wilson, 91;

Of Essex

Franklin ``Bud'' Wilson of North Main Street, Essex, died Thursday in Wilton Manor, Fla. He was 91.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was personnel manager for Pratt Reed in Ivoryton, then head gardener for the Bill Hans Resort in Westbrook (now Waters Edge) for over 20 years and then the Essex Boat Works, where he still put in time when home in Essex. He spent his winters in Wilton Manor, Fla., where he belonged to the Wilton Manor Library. In Essex, he was a member of the Essex Congregational Church and the Essex Library.

He is survived by two daughters, Gail Cuthbertson of Wilton Manor, Fla., and Deirdre Rutan of Essex; three sons, Wayne Wilson of Killingworth, Quentin Wilson of Oakdale and Roger Wilson of Essex; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Amy Konecke Wilson.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced. Donations may be made to the Essex Library Association, 33 West Ave., Essex, CT 06426. The Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St., Centerbrook, is in charge of arrangements.

Elizabeth Berry, 56;

Of Wallingford

Elizabeth C. ``Betty'' Deaz Berry of East Side Drive, Wallingford, died Monday at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was 56.

She was born in New Haven, was raised in North Haven and lived in Wallingford for the past 28 years. She was a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford.

She is survived by her husband, Paul F. Berry; two daughters, Elizabeth ``Beth'' Berry of Willimantic and Debra A. Berry of Wallingford; a brother, Michael Deaz of Wallingford; and four nieces.

Calling hours are at the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Wallingford, today from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Mass at Most Holy Trinity Church at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery in Wallingford. Donations may be sent to Cancer Care Partnership, MidState Medical Center, 435 Lewis Ave., Meriden, CT 06451; or to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.